West Wales offers superb walking country: walk along cliff tops and sandy beaches, along wooded valleys and through forestry plantations, over rugged mountains and through meadows. There are short walks to stretch your legs and get a breath of fresh air, circular walks so you don't need to cover the same ground twice, family walks which are perfect for groups of different abilities or stamina, long walks and more challenging hikes with steep gradients and/or cliff edges.
In West Wales, there is a wide choice of contrasting walks to suit your mood, your energy or the weather. See our full list of walks to choose the perfect route for you.
On breezy days or when it’s just too hot in the sunshine you can choose a woodland walk where dappled shade will provide protection from the elements. On windy winter days, a beach walk can be thrilling, watching the breakers crash against the cliffs, sending clouds of spray far into the air or booming in the hollow of a cave.
There are some enchanting inland walks taking you along the banks of our mighty rivers: the Dyfi, Teifi, Cleddau, Loughor, Taf, Towy and Gwendraeth. The valleys of the Gwaun and Nevern rivers in Pembrokeshire are places of intense beauty and peace, well worth exploring. The open moorland of the Preseli Hills and Cambrian Mountains offer scenic walks with far-reaching views.
This area is renowned for its coastal walks, of course. Walkers who take to the Wales Coast Path are well-rewarded with outstanding scenery. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is perhaps the most famous but the Ceredigion Coast Path and Carmarthenshire Coast Path have their own unique characters. A walk along the coastal path is the only way to discover some of the hidden delights of the West Wales coast.
Do familiarise yourself with the Countryside Code before you set off on your first walk.
It's important to note the rule: leave gates and property as you find them. This means that if a gate is open, leave it open; don’t assume that it should be closed. It may be open to allow livestock access to water, for example.
Dog owners should take care to read the detail concerning general restrictions as well as special rules which apply in particular situations and times of year e.g. during bird nesting season. See the details for individual walks for any restrictions concerning dogs on the route. Where the walk description mentions fields and livestock, this means that there may be sheep or cattle grazing and that even if your dog is on a lead it may be unwise to cross such areas.
For more challenging routes, tell someone where you plan to walk before setting out in case of loss of mobile signal, and take:
If you are planning to include significant altitudes on your route, such as in the Cambrian Mountains or Brecon Beacons, please be aware of the risk of unexpected changes of weather conditions. Even in the summer, mist can suddenly descend making it very difficult to orientate yourself and lowering the temperature considerably.
Where possible, we have noted in the walk details that there are steep sections but more detail can be gleaned from Ordnance Survey Explorer Sheets. These give 2.5 inches to 1 mile detail and contour lines clearly show gradients.
There are 10 maps which cover the West Wales counties of Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, listed here with sheet numbers:
OL35 - North Pembrokeshire
OL36 - South Pembrokeshire
OL12 - Brecon Beacons National Park - Western and Central
OL23 - Snowdonia
177 - Carmarthen and Kidwelly
178 - Llanelli and Ammanford
185 - Newcastle Emlyn
186 - Llandeilo and Brechfa
187 - Llandovery
198 - Cardigan and New Quay
199 - Lampeter
213 - Aberystwyth and Cwm Rheidol
Do bear in mind that where a walk features a pub or café en route, this often means “at one end or the other”. Pubs and cafés have variable opening times, so please call ahead to avoid disappointment. Make sure you carry water and snacks with you just in case.
The information about the walks is given in good faith. We have not tried all the walks ourselves and we take no responsibility for the accuracy of walk details and routes, nor for the condition of the paths, trails and their signposting. Paths are subject to closure due to landslides, erosion or other factors so we advise that you check for notices before you set out.
P = Parking
This walk is mostly inland, although it does take you down to the storm beach of Aber Mawr, with shingle bank formed by gradual rise in sea level after the Ice Age. Wooded valleys, fields and livestock. Can be wet and muddy. 0.3mile on minor road.
P = Parking
A very long walk, but it can be broken up into chunks. Follows the very beautiful Aeron Valley. The map marker shows the start of the walk NOT a parking place
P = Parking
Part dramatic coast, green lanes, fields and livestock, muddy in places; 0.3m minor roads. The great shingle bank at Aberbach was formed as sea levels rose after the last Ice Age. There can be a 1 km detour if stream floods.
P = Parking
This walk includes cliff edge, wooded valley, farm tracks, fields and livestock, bridleways which are steep and muddy in places. 1.5m minor roads. See the pretty fishing village of Abercastle. There are shortcuts if you want to take them. Alternative start: 51.959877, -5.126743 Abercastle Beach
P = Parking
This walk includes a coastal section with cliff edge; also farm tracks and some minor roads. If you are a family or group, some of you could go east on a longer walk while others go west around Carreg Sampson.
P = Parking
Rugged coast, fields and livestock, good views
P = Parking
Walk goes south from Abereiddi along rugged coast then turns inland via fields and livestock, fairly level
P = Parking
A moderate walk along the beautiful coastline. In the autumn seal pups are often seen in the small coves along the route.
P = Parking
Wheelchair accessible asphalt path to old mill with views of bay, with a seat. A steep downhill path, almost all with some gradient.
P = Parking
3 walks: 1 short (1m); 1 medium (3.5m) and 1 long (5m). A lovely walk even on a rainy day. See ruins of the mill by the pretty bridge. The River Cothi is glorious but take care on any solid rock as it can be slippery in wet weather. look out for the strangely-shaped stones which are dried nodules of iron-rich mudstone.